The 2008 Kia Rio is a budget compact that aims to deliver a basic, no-frills driving experience at a low, low price, typically listing at around $5,000. The problem is Honda and Toyota both made better cars in the same price range for 2008.
Is the 2008 Kia Rio a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The 2008 Kia Rio is mediocre by design. It’s not intended to be sporty or luxurious or powerful. But it gets the job done.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – It’s more comfortable than you’d guess, and roomier than it looks from the outside, but… that’s not saying much.
- Reliability 7/10 – The Rio will probably make the first 200,000 miles without any major issue. After that, it starts to feel its price.
- Safety 6/10 – Anti-lock brakes aren’t even available as an optional feature. Crash test scores are fairly mediocre, too. The car feels a bit like you’re driving a really fast golf cart down the highway.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – At 25/35 MPG, the Rio is efficient. But it feels like it gets 25/35 MPG, meaning it’s under-powered and slow to accelerate, even at its lightweight size.
- Value 7/10 – The Kia Rio is cheap, and it comes with a low cost of ownership, so it’s almost certainly in your budget. But, there are better compacts out there for the same price.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Kia Rio?
Consumer Reports found the 2008 Rio to be a vast improvement over earlier models. They found the ride comfortable, the handling pleasant, and the fuel economy good. They note that the car is hardly sporty, but it’s not a clunker, either.
Kelley Blue Book found the Rio fuel-efficient, stylish, roomy, and well-equipped. They made special note of the brand’s generous 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, but they note that the car can’t shake it’s budget-compact vibes, with mediocre customer satisfaction numbers.
Edmunds found the ride smooth, they liked the handling, and they were impressed with the car’s well-designed interior. They note that the car feels cheap around the edges, with low-end trim materials and no cruise control.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Kia Rio Have?
The 2008 Kia Rio has generated just 49 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Airbag issues take up the vast majority at 30 complaints. Drivers report airbag warning lights staying on despite a 2012 recall intended to correct issues with the occupant sensing system.
A few drivers have reported the vehicle stalling out as the speedometer and tachometer drop to zero. In some instances they’re able to correct the issue by simply turning the car off and back on. Others find the problem to be recurring.
There have been a couple reports of brake lights failing to engage when the driver hits the brake pedal.
The 2008 Kia Rio has only been recalled once. This is well below the median for vehicles of this age.
How Long Will the 2008 Kia Rio Last?
A 2008 Kia Rio should last at least 200,000 with adequate maintenance. These cars can go 250,000 miles or more, but, the Rio being a budget compact, you have to consider that the previous owner may have driven this thing like a throwaway. So bet on 200,000 when deciding whether it’s worth your money.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $395. New timing belts account for the most expensive common repairs, starting at around $438.
Yes it is a very reliable vehicle. With proper maintenance it can last a really long time. Ive had this vehicle since august 2008. So brand new.
I have had to fix a couple things, right control arm and ball joint. Some basic things for normal wear and tear.
Absolutely! The only time it wasn’t was when sensors starting going bad. I have changed two really cheap sensors and all ignition coils since I've owned this car. The fact that it’s that cheap to fix, helps my wallet out immensely!
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment tech in the 2008 Rio is pretty basic. CD players are standard, and MP3 players aren’t even available as an option.
Safety tech is even more basic. The car lacks even an optional set of anti-lock brakes, so you can forget about StabiliTrak or rearview cameras.
Is the 2008 Kia Rio a Good Value?
The 2008 Kia Rio is cheap, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a great deal. An LX sedan typically lists for around $4,997, with an SX hatchback going for around $5,191. These prices are about a thousand dollars above the fair market average, so shop around for a fair price.
With the Kia Rio, you’re getting a practical, affordable, low-maintenance set of wheels to get you to and from work and the grocery store. That’s pretty much all you’re getting, and there are other compacts out there that do it better at the same price.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Kia Rio?
The 2008 Kia Rio is available in two body styles, being the sedan and the hatchback, and three trim levels, from the stripped-down Base model to the high-end(ish) SX.
With the bare-bones Base model you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
The mid-range LX adds:
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player
With a top-of-the-line SX you’re adding:
- Fog lights
- Premium cloth seating
What Engines Come In the 2008 Kia Rio?
- The 2008 Kia Rio packs a 1.6L inline-four engine delivering 110 horsepower and 107 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive, and it averages 25/35 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
What Colors Does the 2008 Kia Rio Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Kia Rio?
The 2008 Kia Rio is comfortable enough for a bargain-priced compact. Suspension rides smoothly enough and the cabin is modestly cozy. You’ve got 50 inches of rear hip room so you can seat four adults comfortably.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Kia Rio Have?
The 2008 Kia Rio packs 12 cubic feet of cargo in the trunk. That should hold about four medium suitcases, and it’s pretty much on par for a car in this size class. It’ll cover a weekend getaway or a trip to the airport.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2008 Kia Rio was the fourth model year in the car’s 2nd Generation, which ran from 2005 to 2011.
2006: Upgraded safety features were the biggest change for 2006 after the car received a wider, longer body for 2005.
2007: Kia added some new shift knobs and a chrome Kia logo on the steering wheel for 2007.
2008: The wheels received new covers for 2008.
2009: No major changes.
2010: A facelift year for the Rio, the car received a new front end with sleek, modernized headlines, and some interior revisions including a more intuitive instrument cluster and even Bluetooth connectivity.
How Does the 2008 Kia Rio Compare to the Competition?
The 2008 Kia Rio is an adequate budget compact, competing against more-than-adequate budget compacts at the same price. The Honda Fit, for instance, costs about the same and, though it’s a little smaller than the Rio, it can last 300,000 miles or more, and comes with a much longer list of standard features.
If you’re willing to spend just a little bit more, there’s the Toyota Corolla, which is one of the longest lasting compacts on the market, and packs an MP3 player in the base model.
The Kia Rio aims to be a no-frills budget compact, a car that dumps all the gadgets and bells and whistles in order to keep the price as low as possible. But, when it’s not the cheapest car on the market, what does it really have left to sell you on?
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Kia Rio?
Yes. Pretty good. It is reliable and it is still going on strong. I purchased this vehicle brand new. Lots of airbags. And I consider fairly safe vehicle for a family.
It has been a good car. Reliable. It has low miles and rides good in the snow. Very basic, roll up windows.
I think it is a great car that has longevity and it’s reliability has been consistent. This vehicle simply will not die. It has withstood years of abuse from my terrible driving, so that has to count for something!
